Supplier News: Week of Oct. 8

October 8, 2012byBrittany Siminitz

Maurice Lacroix Announces Instagram Sweepstakes

Taking advantage of the popularity of social media as a marketing tool, watch manufacturer Maurice Lacroix is connecting with its fans via a recently announced Instagram sweepstakes. Participants will have a chance to win a Pontos S Supersports Chronograph. Fans must follow @mlxusa on Instagram, and post a screen shot of their Instagram accounts at mlxusa.com to enter. The contest ends Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. EST.

“We are thrilled to expand Maurice Lacroix to one of the most important markets in the world. With this fun and exciting opportunity to connect with our fans on Instagram, we hope to create a happy stir amongst watch lovers,” said Hartmut Kraft, CEO and president of Maurice Lacroix North America.

TracTech System’s New Hand-Held Scanner Released

TracTech Systems Inc. has announced a new hand-held RFID scanner: the HR-300. Weighing in at just a pound, the portable tool can capture inventory information from items on shelves, in displays, or at workstations. The system is designed to help retailers keep track of their products in a more productive and less time-consuming way, using the company’s state-of-the-art RFID technology.

Unlike bar codes, RFID tags allow users to collect information from items that may not be readily visible. Scanning with the HR-300 simply involves waving the unit over the piece—even if it’s under glass or wood.

“For jewelry industry players, the HR-300’s most important aspect is that it is part of an entire system that captures information, processes it, and stores it, all with the industry’s exact, specific needs in mind,” said Keven Peck, TracTech’s founder and CEO.

Kirk Kara Launches New Bridal Collections

Specializing in handcrafted bridal jewelry for more than 100 years, Kirk Kara has launched its latest bridal collections: Pirouette and XO.

The Pirouette collection depicts halo style hand-engraved rings in 18k white, yellow, and rose gold. The complementing flush-fit wedding bands are available in the same array of metal colors and hug the engagement rings perfectly. “When you fall in love, your heart starts dancing,” designer and namesake Kirk Kara said of the new design. “The designs celebrate the bliss of that first dance with elegance and grace.”

The other collection, XO, features hand-engraved and milgrain details, designed to focus on the brilliance of the center diamond and spotlight the filigreed sides. The mountings are intended to be set with a center diamond of 0.50 ct. to 2 cts., and are available in platinum or 18k white, yellow, or rose gold. The collection starts at $2,000 MSRP.

“I created these designs for the woman who followers her sense of style the same way she followers her heart: with unwavering, unabashed confidence,” said Kara. “Nothing less than everything she desires will do.”

Lazare – “You Just Know” Around-The-World Contest and Trunk Show

Diamond manufacturer Lazare Kaplan International is sponsoring a pre-holiday contest with its retailers, on the heels of its successful 2012 “You Just Know” campaign launch. Customers will be asked to explain the characteristics of an ideal-cut Lazare diamond and write an essay describing when they “just knew” their significant other was the one. Winners, which will be chosen from each of Lazare’s participating retailers, will be announced during the Oct. 26-27 Lazare Trunk Show, and will receive a Lazare diamond pendant.

“It is exciting to have so many Lazare retailers participating in this event from around the world at the exact same time,” said vice president Marcee Feinberg. “And, the timing is ‘ideal’ to kick off the holiday selling season with a splash.”

First Jewelry Limited Introduces New Persona Marketing Campaign

First Jewelry Limited invites consumers to “Bead Inspired” by the new Persona collection. Its latest marketing campaign, due to launch this fall, expresses the style, color, and feeling that Persona beads inspire in its customers.

BEad Inspired, BEad Dazzling, and BEad Chic are just a few of the headlines conveyed on the black-and-white photography ads with pops of color from the jewelry. “We’re looking forward to having some fun with the headlines and engaging our consumers to share their own bead inspirations,” said First Jewelry Ltd. president Neil Travis. The campaign launches with print ads in fall and winter editions of Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, and Cosmopolitan, among others.